Dual concealed separable fastener



Nov. 19, 1963 H. MORIN 7 DUAL ,CONCEALED SEFARABLE FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 221, 1961 INVENTOR Lou/5 H. MoR/N HTTORNEY Nov. 19, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,110,947

DUAL. CONCEALED SEPARABLE FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1961 INVENTOR. Lou/5 H MOR/N W HTTORNEY United States Patent 3,110,947 DUAL CONCEALED SEYARABLE FASTENER Louis H. Morin, Bronx, NY. (125 Beechwood Ave, New Rochelle, N35.) Filed Apr. 21, 1961, fier. No. 104,639 2 Claims. or. a t-205.12

This invention relates to separable fastener stringers, wherein scoops are fixed to one surface only of the stringer tapes, providing what I term a one-sided stringer. Further, the invention deals with a scoop structure facilitating coupling engagement of the scoops with scoop surfaces of the stringers adjacent, to provide on the resulting coupled stringers concealment of the scoops in viewing the fastener from either outer plain surface of the stringers. Still further, the invention deals with a slider for use in connection with stringers of the type defined employing various thickness walls throughout the length of the slider for bringing the scoops of the two stringers into coupled engagement with each other and in uncoupling the stringers.

More particularly, the invention deals with stringer structures, wherein opposed sides of each scoop have laterally projecting coupling members extending from the central portion of the scoops to the inner and outer ends of the scoops to thereby retain coupling engagement in any fiexure to which coupled stringers may be subjected.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a slider structure for stringers of the character defined having wall portions extending longitudinally of the slider for guidance of the scoops in movement thereof from the flared end of the slider to the contracted end thereof.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodimeints of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustrating the manner of coupling stringers of the type and kind under consideration, illustrations of the scoops in this figure being purely diagrammatic and not illustrative of scoop structures later shown in detail, parts of the construction being broken away to illustrate end stops at ends of the stringers.

FIG. 2 is a plan view generally on the line 2-2 of FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrating engagement of one form of scoops which I employ and omitting the stringer tape to simplify the illustration.

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing the stringer tapes of both sets of scoops.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the broken line 4-4 of FIG. 2. showing the wide end portion of the slider and with parts of the construction broken away.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing only one scoop and part of the two other scoops and the tapes of said scoops and omitting the slider.

FIG. 6 is a view generally taken along the line 6- 6 of FIG. 7 showing a modified form of scoop structure and showing the scoop of one stringer and at least a portion of two scoops of the opposed stringer in coupled relationship.

FIG. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a modified form of scoop, the view being substantially on the line 88 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and' FIG. 10 is a side sectional view through one stringer illustrating a side elevation of a scoop of such stringer.

In order to clearly portray the method of coupling and 3 ,110,947 Patented Nov. 19, 1963 uncoupling separable fastener stringers of the type and kind under consideration, I have shown in FIG. 1 a diagrammatic or schematic picture, wherein the illustration of the scoops is not intended to portray any of the scoop shown in the later figures, the view being primarily shown to illustrate a slider, the manner of bringing the two stringers together for engagement of the scoops and also to illustrate end stops for checking movement of the slider in both directions on the stringers.

In FIG. 1, A, A illustrates two stringer tapes, to the beaded edges of which are attached scoops B, B, the scoops being fixed to one surface only of each tape and these scoops, as well as the other scoops, later described, when formed of molded or cast material, are secured to the stringer tapes by pressure injection of the materials into the interstices of the braid of the tapes in securely fixing the scoops thereto.

At C is shown a slider, the wide end portion of which has diverging channels D, D, into which the scoops and tapes pass in coupling the scoops and stringers for discharge through the contracted end B of the slider. When thus coupled together, it will appear that the scoops will be concealed in viewing coupled stringers from either of the non-scoop surfaces of the stringers. F diagrammatically illustrates a pull for actuation of the slider.

At one end of the stringers A, A is fixed an S-shaped stop G, limiting movement of the slider C in one direction on the stringers. The other end of the stringers A, A has substantially U-shaped bar stops H fixed thereto beyond end scoops of the stringers in checking movement of the slider in the direction of said ends of the stringers. It will appear from the inner and outer surface showing of the stringer tapes in FIG. 1 that the bar stops H are disposed upon both surfaces of the tapes. It will be understood that the scoops B, B could represent scoops as shown, for example, in FIG. 2, or in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawing, which scoops will be described in detail later in this description.

In FIGS. 2 to 5, inclusive, I have shown one adaptation of separable fastener employing one type of scoop structure on the stringers and a slider suitable for'use with such stringers. Both stringers are of the same construction. Therefore, the brief description as applied to one will apply to both, reference numerals being primed on the companion stringer structure.

Considering 'FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, 11, 1'1 illustrate the stringer tapes of stringers, similar to A, A of FIG. 1. The tapes have pairs of beads 12, 12', note FIGS. 3 and 4, which project slightly on the scoop supporting surfaces 13, 13 of the tapes. To these surfaces are fixed the scoops 1-4, 14 which would be a truer representation of the diagrammatic illustration of scoops at B, B in FIG. 1.

The scoops have outer ends 15, 15 arranged at the edge portions of the stringer tapes 11, 11 and inner end portions 16, 16'. The sides of the end portion 15 of the scoops 14- have parallel surfaces 17 and end portions 16 of the scoops 14 have other parallel surfaces 18, the latter being arranged in crossed relationship to the surfaces 17, as indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawing. When the scoops are coupled together, as indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawing, it will appear that parallel surfaces 18 of the scoop 14- operatively engage the surfaces 17 of two adjacent scoops 14; whereas, surfaces 17' of the scoops 14' operatively engage the surfaces 1 8 of the scoop 14. This construction provides at both sides of each of the scoops on the outer portions 1-5, 15' thereof male projecting coupling portions and sockets receiving the coupling portions of scoops of a companion stringer and the same is true on the inner end portions of the scoops. However, when coupled together, it will be apparent, from a consideration of FIG. 2 of the drawing, that the projecting menibers at the outer ends of the scoops engage the sockets at the inner ends of the scoops of the opposed stringers. By way of illustration, reference is made to the lower scoop 14 and upper scoop 14 of FIG. 2, to which scoops reference characters will be applied, identifying the pro jecting members and sockets at opposed sides of the scoops. Considering the scoop 1d, the outer end has a projecting coupling member at its upper surface, as viewed in FIG. 2, this member being identified by the reference character E9, the opposed side having a lower coupling member 29. The side 19 has a socket 21 and the side Zil has a socket 22. The inner end of the scoop 14 has an upper coupling member 23, a lower coupling member 24, a socket 25 and another socket 26. Now turning to the scoop 14, this has at its upper surface, at the outer side, a projecting coupling member 27, at the other side a lower coupling member 28 and comparable sockets 29 and 39; whereas, the inner end portion has, at one upper side, the coupling member 31, the lower coupling member 32 and the sockets 33 and 34. It will appear from engagement of the scoops 14-, .14 at the contracted end 34 of the slider 35 in FIG. 2 that 19 engages the socket 34; whereas, 20 engages the socket 33. In like manner, 23 engages the socket 36*; whereas, 24 engages the socket 29. The same will be true of the projecting members on the scoops 14. In other words, the projecting members of the two scoops M 14' are overlapped and interlocked with respect to each other. In other words, 19 is interlocked with 3-2; 221i is interlocked with 31 and 23 is inter locked with 28 and 24- is interlocked with 2'7. No attempt will be made to identify the interlocked portions in FIG. of the drawing, as this figure is shown primarily to illustrate the bevelled contour of the interlocked coupling portions of the two scoops. It will be apparent, however, that the scoops are interlocked substantially throughout their entire length, length being defined from end to end at each side of the scoops. With this construction, a positive interlock is provided between the two stringers, regardless of the manner in which coupled stringers are flexed or strained.

The slider 35 has, at its flared end portion 36, a web 37 joining what can be termed the upper and lower side walls 38 and 3? of the slider body; the wall 38 has a flanged side til and the wall 39 has a flanged side 41.

The section of FIG. 4 of the drawing is taken through the broken line 4-4; of FIG. 2 at the wide end portion of the slider; whereas, the section, FIG. 3, is taken through the contracted end 34 of the slider. The inner surface of the walls 38 and 3 9 at the wide end of the slider are set inwardly, as indicated at 42 and 43 and these surfaces gradually taper down to the normal thin wall structure of the slider at the contracted end thereof, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing, the purpose of this construction being to properly guide the scoops of the two stringers into engagement with each other as they approach the contracted end 34 of the slider. It will be noted from the broken away portions of FIG. 4 that shoulders 44- and 45 are formed at inner portions of the surfaces to turther guide the scoops into proper engagement.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawing, in FIG. 7, as, 46' illustrate the tapes of the two stringers, to which scoops 47, 47 are fixed to scoop surfaces 48, 48 of the stringer tapes. The scoops 47, 47 are generally similar to the scoops 14, 1 in having the male and female coupling portions at both sides thereof. However, outer ends 49, '49 of the scoops are generally similar in form to inner ends 56, Stl thereof and the projecting members and sockets at sides of the scoops are generally triangular in form. Scoops 47 have, at the outer ends thereof, upper coupling members 51 and lower coupling members 52;, the scoops 47 having corresponding members 51, 52. These outer ends also include sockets 53, 53'; 54, 54; the inner ends of the scoops have a corresponding arrangement of projecting members and sockets, except that they are reversed on the opposed side of the scoops 55, 55

representing the upper projecting members 56, 55', the lower projecting members 57, 57', the sockets beneath 55, 55' and 58, 53 the sockets above 56, 56'. it will thus be apparent from a consideration of FIG. 6 of the drawing that 51 interlocks with 52" and 56 interlocks with 51' in establishing the coupling engagement of the scoops one with the other to prevent separation thereof. It will appear from a consideration of P G. 7 of the drawing that adjacent surfaces of the respective interlocking members of the scoops are bevelled to provide free ilexure of the scoops one with respect to the other. The bevelling further facilitates coupling and uncoupling of the scoops one with the other and the surfaces are slightly spaced for free action of the scoops one upon the other.

In FIGS 8 to 10, inclusive, I have shown another form of scoop structure and, considering 9, 59, 56 illustrate the stringer tapes of the two stringers to which scoops so, till are attached. The scoops as, oil" have outer contracted ends 61, 61 and inner ends 62., 62 and with the scoops shown in FIGS. 9 and it), instead of alternating the male and female coupling portions at inner and outer ends of the scops, the sides of each scoop have on outer surfaces thereof projecting coupling members 63, 63', inwardly of which are sockets 64, 64' adapted to receive the coupling members of scoops of the companion stringer. In other words, the projecting members s3 engage the sockets dd and the projecting members 63 engage the sockets 64, as will clearly appear from a consideration of FIG. 9 of the drawing. The projecting members and sockets extend substantially the full length of the scoops, length being determined from end to end of the scoops.

Where the outer ends 61, 61' of the scoops join the inner ends 62, 62' the scoops have lateral projections 6 65' engaging recessed portions 66, 66 in retaining the scoops against lateral separation from each other. These further interlocking portions have bevelled adjacent surfaces, as clearly indicated at 5'7, 67' in PEG. 8 of the draw ing. It will also appear, from a consideration of FIG. 9 of the drawings, that adjacent surfaces of the overlapped projections of the scoops are bevelled, as indicated at ca.

Returning now to the structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it will appear that the scoops 5 7, 47 have an interengagement, preventing lateral separation Where adjacent angular surfaces of the projecting members of the scoops overlap along the center line, as at as in FlG. 6 of the drawing. Considering the center scoop 47 of FIG. 6, it will appear that 55 has a positive engagement with 55 and that 52 has a positive engagement with 52' at 69. Further, 51' has a positive engagement with 51 and 65 has a positive engagement with 65 also at These engagements prevent lateral separtion of the stringers.

A similar engagement is also provided, as at 75%, between the scoops Id, 14, as will appear at the lower portion of FIG. 2 of the drawing, where 31 overlaps and engages 23 by way of illustration.

Now returning to the structure shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, inclusive, it is preferred that the surfaces of the projecting members he tapered in the direction of the ends 61, 62, as indicated in FIG. 10 of the drawing, in which figure, the scoop so only is shown, this tapering facilitating free coupling and uncoupling of the scops of the stringers and, particularly, in positioning the projecting members 63, 63' in the sockets 64, 64, respectively.

While no showing of a slider structure is illustrated with the stringers illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10, inclusive, it will appear that sliders generally of the type and kind shown in FIG. 2 can be utilized. It will also be apparcut that, in the structure shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, inclusive, the tapes are disclosed without beads, as the use of heads is not essential in positively securing the scoops to the tapes, particularly when the scoops are from molded. or cast materials where the pressure injection of the ma-- terial onto the tapes forces such material into the interstices of the braid in establishing a positive anchorage.-

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In separable fasteners of the character described, comprising a pair of stringers, scoops fixed at spaced intervals longitudinally of one scoop surface only of each of said stringers, a slider movable along the stringers to couple and uncouple said scoops, the scoops of each stringer having at sides thereof projecting coupling members and coupling sockets extending substantially the full length of each side of the scoops, the coupling members of one scoop operatively engaging the members of scoops of a companion stringer in securing the stringers together, said slider comprising upper and lower side walls joined at a flared end of the slider in a connecting web to form Y-shaped channels, two at the flared end of the slider separated by said web, and one at the contracted end thereof, and the side walls at the flared end of the slider varying in thickness to form said channels so that the single channel at the contracted end of the slider is of greater height than the Y-shaped channels at the flared end to accommodate coupled scoops in guidance of the scoops into coupled engagement with each other, preparatory to passing coupled scoops through the contracted end of the slider.

2. A separable fastener as defined in claim 1, wherein said walls of the slider include shoulders for further guidance of the scoops into coupling engagement with each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,077,350 Sundback Apr. 3, 1937 2,082,619 Dau June 1, 1937 2,440,086 Graboi Apr. 20, 1943 2,563,163 Morin Sept. 18, 1951 2,849,774 Ryser Sept. 2, 1958 2,939,192 Hansen June 7, 1960 2,951,285 Law Sept. 6, 1960 2,988,796 Johns June 20, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 507,437 Italy Dec. 30, 1954 309,534 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1955 

1. IN SEPARABLE FASTENERS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A PAIR OF STRINGERS, SCOOPS FIXED AT SAPCED INTERVALS LONGITUDINALLY OF ONE SCOOP SURFACE ONLY OF EACH OF SAID STRINGERS, A SLIDER MOVABLE ALONG THE STRINGERS TO COUPLE AND UNCOUPLE SAID SCOOPS, THE SCOOPS OF EACH STRINGER HAVING AT SIDES THEREOF PROJECTING COUPLING MEMBERS AND COUPLING SOCKETS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL LENGTH OF EACH SIDE OF THE SCOOPS, THE COUPLING MEMBERS OF ONE SCOOP OPERATIVELY ENGAGING THE MEMBERS OF SCOOPS OF A COMPANION STRINGER IN SECURING THE STRINGERS TOGETHER, SAID SLIDER COMPRISING UPPER AND LOWER SIDE WALLS JOINED AT A FLARED END OF THE SLIDER IN A CONNECTING WEB TO FORM Y-SHAPED CHANNELS, TWO AT THE FLARED END OF THE SLIDER SEPARATED BY SAID WEB, AND ONE AT THE CONTRACTED END THEREOF, AND THE SIDE WALLS AT THE FLARED END OF THE SLIDER VARYING IN THICKNESS TO FORM SAID CHANNELS SO THAT THE SINGLE CHANNEL AT THE CONTRACTED END OF THE SLIDER IS OF GREATER HEIGHT THAN THE Y-SHAPED CHANNELS AT THE FLARED END TO ACCOMMODATE COUPLED SCOOPS IN GUIDANCE OF THE SCOOPS INTO COUPLED ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER, PREPARATORY TO PASSING COUPLED SCOOPS THROUGH THE CONTRACTED END OF THE SLIDER. 